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Mother's Day in the United States - or Mom's Day as it is sometimes written - is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday of May. This year it falls on Sunday, May 13.

The day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society in raising children. Mother's Day in the UK, which was celebrated earlier this year on March 11, was inspired by the American occasion – but how and why did it begin?

How did Mother's Day start?

It was American social activist Anna Jarvis (1864-1948) from West Virginia who campaigned for an official day for mothers in the US. She is regarded as the "Mother of Mother's Day" and dedicated...

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